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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Third Straight Day Gop Stalls Finance Bill and Picks up a Democrat Vote

For the third consecutive day, Republicans united to block a Wall Street reform bill from hitting the Senate floor as frustrations grew over the pace of negotiations – with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) labeling the GOP “un-American” for blocking the bill.

The vote was 56 to 42, with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) voting no for a third day, saying that his requested changes haven’t been made to the bill.

Leaders from both parties continued to trade barbs leading up to the procedural vote, even as top negotiators planned to proceed with their talks to find resolution on major policy points, including provisions on "too big to fail banks," derivatives and a new consumer financial protection agency.

But senators on both sides of the aisle grew irritated Wednesday as a comprehensive deal appeared less and less likely.

"Even some Democrats would like to offer amendments on this bill. All of this talk from Republicans about wanting to do something about this bill before it gets on the floor is really anti-Senate and anti-American," Reid said in a news conference just minutes before the vote. - Politico Story

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